NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOME.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10267, 9 February 1899, Page 5

NEW ZEALANDERS AT HOME.

_ . i»i — (from our own correspondent.) , LONDON, December 30. Mr Ernest Mansfield, who will be remembered in New Zealand, particularly by draught players, among whom he took a high place, is, I hear, in the North-West of Canada, where he is representing a French m syndicate. Another New Zealand book is to come out almost immediately. It is ontitled "A Sketch of tho New Zealand Wars/ , and the author is Dr. Grace, M.L.C. As Dr. Grace is unable to come to London to see it through the press, tho Agent-General has undertaken to perform that office for him. Mr Fisher Unwin, the publisher, has asked Mr Beeves to write a "Life of Sir George Grey" for the "Builders of the Empire" series. Mr Reeves is "taking time to conaider." Once more the departure of Mr and Mrs E. Stafford, on their return to Wellington, is deferred; but this time only for a week, as the departure of the new steamer, Papanui, of the New Zealand Slripping Company, by which they liave token their passage, has been postponed until the 12th of January, it being found impracticable to have her ready on the date originally named for her sailing. Miss Ellen Greenwood, of Wellington, left London yesterday for Paris, on her way to Marseilles, where she will join the P. and O. s.s. Britannia. Mr Victor Harman, who arrived in London some little time back, α-ossed over to Ireland at the end of October to pay several visits to friends and relatives. He was fortunate in having fine and mild weather for the greater part of his stay in the Emerald Isle, and expresses himself as delighted with the country and with the people whom he met. He had a good deal of hunting with the Louth Foxhounds, and took pjut in several splendid runs, especially one at Mullins Cross and another at Morotown. He describes the latter as "a splendid day from start to finish," and two foxes were killed after some enjoyable runs. He was also out with the famous Meath foxhounds, and had a capital day at Wicklow with Lord Millton's foxhounds, over some extremely stiff country. Mr Harman has been struck with the difference batween the hunting country in Ireland and that in either England or New Zealand. He prefers the Irish hunting, as it provides such a variety of jumps, some very formidable looking. However, he managed to maintain the credit of New Zealand and kept well in front. Hβ was out several times 'with private nocks of harriers. Many people have expressed to him surprise that tho fox iias not been introduced in New Zealand. Mr Harman returned to London a few days ago, and is now hard at work doing all the sights, at the same time paying a round of visits among friends. Ho expects to leave on his return to New Zealand in either January or February, but his plans are not yet definitely settled. Am I right in ,my idea that Miss Nellie Stewart, the Australian singer and actress, is a favourite also in New Zealand? .If so, it will be learned there with interest that this attractive young lady has just scored a remarkable success in the Drury Lane Pantomime. •- c has been cast for the part of the principal boy, and the London papers simply gush their-heads off about her. The "Daily Telegraph" says she is "a lovely and graceful woman, a born actress, an experienced artist, with an attractive style, and pure as well as beautiful voice. So those whom she has pleased in New Zealand will doubtless be glad to hear that she is so cordially appreciated in the World's Metropolis. t Mr-Donald Mac Donald, -who held for many years the post of manager of the Union Bank of Australia, Nelson, arrived in England some little time back, with his two daughters. They have since been staying chiefly in Scotland, but have also spent some little time at Oxford, and have now come to London for a while. It is probable that they will go to Torquay for the remainder of the winter, returning to town in the spring. Mr.MacDonald has not bean in the Mother Country since he was about five years old.